Oppenheims to be honored at Ohev

Congregation Ohev Shalom is honoring Nina and Ron Oppenheim at "The Eras Gala" on Feb. 22, 2025. The Oppenheims' connection to Congregation Ohev Shalom spans decades, and their contributions have left a lasting impact on the congregation and the Orlando Jewish community.

Synagogue President Debby Gendzier reflected warmly on their involvement, sharing, "Nina and Ron Oppenheim are family to Congregation Ohev Shalom. Like family, they have been incredibly supportive in every possible way to our community since joining in 1988." Gendzier continued, "Nina has chaired our Ohev Gala numerous times, always with heart and success, so it seems only fitting that the Bar Mitzvah celebration (13th anniversary) of our building should be in Nina and Ron's honor on Feb. 22, taking place right here in our synagogue."

Nina Oppenheim's dedication to service is unmistakable. A long-time COS Board member, Nina's passion for volunteerism has seen her rise through the ranks of leadership. She humbly shares, "I have served on committees and found myself moving into leadership positions."

As Gendzier notes, Nina's ability to inspire others is extraordinary. "Nina has been known to bring in first-time volunteers, who later become the regulars we rely upon."

Ron, a neurologist with a practice in Winter Park, acknowledges his wife's exceptional gift. "While many know Nina as a kind and talented math educator and tutor, she has a special gift," he remarked, adding with a smile, "It's been said that it's hard to say 'no' when Nina asks for a contribution to the synagogue she loves."

Nina credits Ron for his unwavering support of her efforts. "Ron has been with me every step of the way," she said, emphasizing their shared commitment to giving.

Their bond with Ohev Shalom began in the early 1990s, when their daughter, Sheryl, and Rabbi Rubinger's daughter, Becky, became close friends at the Hebrew Day School, now known as Gotlib Jewish Academy.

"When they became best friends, we thought, 'Maybe we should check out Ohev Shalom, where Becky's father was the rabbi,'" Ron said.

Nina added, "The rest is history. Once we joined, we loved it."

The Oppenheims' connection to the synagogue has only deepened over the years, especially as they celebrated the B'nai mitzvahs of their three children - Sheryl, Craig, and Jared, now adults.

"We are hoping they will all be in for the gala. Sheryl lives in Brooklyn, Craig lives in Bethesda with his wife, Stephanie, and their son, Harris. Jared lives in Denver now," Nina said.

Through it all, they have been inspired by the rabbis they've encountered, including Rabbis Aaron Rubinger, David Kay, and Geoffrey Spector. "We also love the cantors," Nina added, noting the energetic contributions of Cantor Emeritus Allan Robuck and Cantor Jeffrey Weber to the services.

As Ohev Shalom prepares to mark its Bar Mitzvah year, the Oppenheims reflect on their own Jewish coming-of-age experiences. Nina, whose parents belonged to an Orthodox synagogue in Brooklyn, didn't have an "official" bat mitzvah, but was considered a b'nai mitzvah at age 12. "I had a wonderful rabbi, Rabbi Rabin, who married us, and I still send him a holiday card each year," she said fondly.

Ron, on the other hand, remembers his bar mitzvah at a Conservative congregation in Nashville. "I had a traditional Conservative service," he recalled, "and I had to give my bar mitzvah speech from memory. To this day, I remember I left out a paragraph," he adds with a laugh. "But the rabbi said I did pretty well."

Ron expresses enthusiasm about the upcoming gala, saying, "I think a bar mitzvah theme for the gala is a great idea. I didn't get to have a big bar mitzvah party because my grandfather passed away a few months before. So, this is my chance to have that party."

Nina shared a similar sentiment, "My bubbe, my grandmother, passed away before I turned 12, and I, too, didn't have a big event."

Both Ron and Nina are deeply touched by the honor of being recognized at the 2025 Ohev Shalom Gala. Nina reflected on the teamwork that defines their philanthropic efforts: "Whatever I do for Ohev Shalom, we really do together. Ron always gives me good ideas and helps with time-consuming tasks, checking everything off the list."

"Then it becomes a joint project," Ron added.

Their partnership began long before their involvement with COS. The couple first met at the University of Cincinnati, where Ron was in medical school and Nina was studying for her post graduate degree in education with an emphasis on science and math. "After my internship, Nina followed me to Washington, D.C., where I did my residency," Ron said. "Now we've been in Orlando for more than 40 years."

Nina, a lifelong educator, shared, "While I finished my master's degree, I left my doctoral program to support the early years of our marriage." She spent time teaching at a Catholic school in a Northern Kentucky suburb near Cincinnati and later served as a long-time math teacher at Maitland's Gotlib Jewish Academy. Today, she teaches geometry at a modern Orthodox Jewish high school while also tutoring students in her Orlando area home, continually expanding her hours to accommodate the overflow.

Nina's philanthropic journey began during her time as president of Gotlib Jewish Academy, where she continues as a lifetime board member. Her fundraising experience expanded as the first board president of the University of Central Florida Hillel. After completing her term at UCF, she brought her skills to Ohev Shalom, where friend and former COS president, Sara Stern, invited her to join the board.

Over more than 30 years at COS, Nina has been involved in numerous initiatives, including co-presiding over the Sisterhood alongside Linda Wish and serving on the synagogue's board. Reflecting on her work, Nina said, "When I was first on the board at Ohev, I was asked to be on the Directory Committee. I started volunteering and eventually ended up chairing it. And every year, the directory book has grown."

Among Nina's most impactful contributions has been her leadership in organizing the synagogue's galas. She chaired the first gala after the COVID hiatus, when it was essential to bring congregants back to the synagogue. Determined to make the event memorable, she worked alongside Ron to secure world-renowned Cantor Azi Schwartz of New York's Park Avenue Synagogue for the evening. Ron, who had been following Cantor Schwartz's performances on YouTube during the pandemic, found a contact and reached out the cantor. It was quickly arranged for him to perform at the event. "It was one of the most successful galas Ohev has had, with more than 350 attendees," Nina said, proudly. "Most importantly, it brought people back into the building."

Through their unwavering commitment to Ohev Shalom, the Oppenheims have exemplified the true meaning of community. Their legacy of giving and service continues to inspire others, ensuring that their impact will be felt for generations to come.

Tickets and sponsorship for "The Eras Gala" are available now. For more information visit http://www.ohevshalom.org/form/eras-gala or call 407-298-4650.